What to Watch: DKNY, Donna Karan to Roll Out This Fall

G-III is taking a two-prong attack this fall: DKNY for Macy’s and Donna Karan for other department stores.

Donna Karan will be coming at the consumer from all angles this fall.G-III Apparel Corp., which acquired Donna Karan International Co. last December for $650 million, is ready to roll out its new DKNY and Donna Karan merchandise this fall, as well as sport collections for both.DKNY women’s, which will be available in early September, is an exclusive to Macy’s and Macys.com in the U.S. and will also be sold at DKNY retail locations globally, DKNY.com, Hudson’s Bay Co. and several international department and specialty stores. Key elements for fall include graphic logos, poplin shirting, and masculine/feminine coats, with retail prices ranging from $49 to $399.In addition, DKNY Sport, a lifestyle active collection, will be available in early September at the same locations as DKNY and retails from $39 to $150. The lineup includes mesh, reflective and metallic details, plus color blocking.G-III will also introduce its first Donna Karan collection, which includes women’s apparel and accessories at stores next month. A notch more upscale, Donna Karan retails from $80 to $700 and will be available at such stores as Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Dillard’s, Lord & Taylor, Hudson’s Bay Co. and Harvey Nichols. Cashmere sweaters, cold-shoulder dresses and cocoon coats are among the styles on offer.In addition, G-III will offer Donna Karan Active, which includes such looks as cold-shoulder knits and tops, joggers, ribbed knits, bodysuits and mixed media knits. That collection will be available in November, and will retail from $39 to $150. Stores that will carry Donna Karan Active are Lord & Taylor (fall and resort), Bloomingdale’s (resort), Dillard’s (resort), and Stitch Fix (resort).In an interview earlier this year, Morris Goldfarb, chief executive officer of G-III, described the Donna Karan collection as “a notch up from DKNY, but not an incredible reach.“It’s different fabrics; the aesthetic is more elegant and sophisticated. We have internal designers who are designing by classifications,” he said.Goldfarb said at the time he expects the Macy’s deal for DKNY to be a “win-win” for both parties. “We wanted to build a model relationship. This is it. There was a confidence level they would fulfill their obligations contractually. They [Macy’s] stepped in fairly early identifying this as an opportunity for them, as well as G-III,” he said. He said he approached Macy’s “understanding their needs and the pace that retail is changing and the department store business is changing, and they needed solutions for the future, as I did. And they’re of the scale that could support the business I need to rationalize the value of the brand.”Amsterdam-based architectural firm UXUS has been commissioned to design the Herald Square accessories, footwear and ready-to-wear DKNY shop concept, which will be situated near such shops as Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors. “It will be a well-profiled brand for Macy’s,” said Goldfarb.

In honor of Rihanna’s 30th birthday, we took a look back at an interview with the Barbados-native when she was just 18 years old. Here, she talked about her second album, “A Girl Like Me” in 2006. “I want to be me. I want people to fall in love with who Rihanna is, and that’s why I want the album to be about me so people can really find out who this girl Rihanna is, because they only know the ‘Pon de Replay’ girl.” Fast forward 12 years, and she’s released six more albums and has become a powerhouse in both the fashion and music industries. Happy birthday, @badgalriri 🎈(📷: Pavel Antonov) #wwdarchive

For @simonerocha_‘s fall show, hairstylist @jamespecis created a look inspired by the painter John Constable. Models’ hair was pulled back, tied into knots and topped off with a bow. (📷: @kukukuba) #wwdbeauty #lfw

Queen Elizabeth made a surprise appearance at @richardquinn1's London Fashion Week show to present the designer with the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design. The new award will be handed out annually to an emerging British fashion designer who shows exceptional talent, while demonstrating value to the community and sustainable policies. #wwdfashion #lfw (📷: @giovanni_giannoni_photo)